MIDDLE EAST: Israelis reject British parliament's decision to recognise Palestine as a state

Record ID: 328345

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: Israelis reject British parliament's decision to recognise Palestine as a state
  • Date: 14th October 2014
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (OCTOBER 14, 2014) (REUTERS) JERUSALEM STREET SCENE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE READING NEWSPAPERS IN COFFEE SHOP NEWSPAPER HEADLINE (Hebrew) RECOGNITION IN PALESTINE'' (SOUNDBITE) (English) JERUSALEM RESIDENT, ADI, SAYING: ''I think that the decision of the British Parliament to acknowledge the Palestinian state is a premature decision, it may be an Inevitable consequence, but it is not something that can be decided by a foreign government that is not a side at this conflict. '' PEOPLE IN COFFEE SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED JERUSALEM RESIDENT, SAYING: ''I think it's a big mistake, historical mistake like they made in the past years that they lost a lot of countries, they are going to lose the relationship with Israel as well. And I think he (British Prime Minister David Cameron) should change his mind and go back and say that he doesn't do it - and he doesn't believe in it''. .7 JERUSALEM STREET SCENE
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ZKEP21IDMAEW553GQTVJWJCR
  • Story Text: Israelis on Tuesday (October 14) dismissed a British parliament decision to recognise Palestine as a state, calling it a "historical mistake."
    The British lawmakers voted on Monday (October 13) in favour of the motion, a move that will not alter government policy, but carries symbolic value as Palestinians pursue international recognition.
    The final motion, which passed by 274 votes to 12 stated: "That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution."
    Israel has condemned the decision, arguing that any unilateral move could undermine peace efforts and called on Palestinians to return to negotiations.
    The vote was closely watched by Palestinians and Israelis seeking to gauge the readiness of European countries to act on Palestinian hopes for unilateral recognition by U.N. member states.
    But in the streets of Jerusalem residents rejected the move, saying Britain should not interfere in the dispute.
    ''I think that the decision of the British Parliament to acknowledge the Palestinian state is a premature decision, it may be an Inevitable consequence, but it is not something that can be decided by a foreign government that is not a side at this conflict,'' Jerusalem resident named Adi told Reuters.
    Britain does not classify Palestine as a state, but says it could do so at any time if it believed it would help promote peace between the Palestinians and Israel.
    British Prime Minister David Cameron abstained from the vote, which was called by an opposition lawmaker, and Cameron's spokesman earlier said foreign policy would not be affected whatever the outcome.
    ''I think it's a big mistake, historical mistake like they made in the past years that they lost a lot of countries, they are going to lose the relationship with Israel as well. And I think he (Cameron) should change his mind and go back and say that he doesn't do it - and he doesn't believe in it," said a jerusalem resident who declined to give his name.
    Lawmakers who backed the motion said it would increase pressure on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to revive the stalled peace process.
    The U.N. General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of Palestine as a state in 2012, but the United States, the European Union and most EU countries, including Britain, have yet to throw their weight behind unilateral independence.
    The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, with its capital in East Jerusalem.
    Palestinians have long resented Britain's role in the region, arguing its three-decade rule over Palestine and subsequent withdrawal in 1948 allowed the creation of an Israeli state.
    U.S.-backed peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians collapsed earlier this year and there is no sign they might be revived any time some.
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